Latest news with #JOMOPride
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial council member's transgender comments spark recall effort
JOPLIN, Mo. — A local organization is calling for the removal of a Joplin council member, after controversial comments were made on Facebook. The founder and co-chair of JOMO Pride, Ron Burch is organizing a recall petition for Joplin councilmember, Ryan Jackson. The petition states Jackson has, 'failed to uphold his oath of office and has shown an inability to conduct himself in a manner that preserves public confidence and respect for the government in which he serves…' The petition comes after Jackson made several comments on the KSN Facebook page, regarding a story about Transgender Day of Visibility. In the comments, Jackson refers to gender dysphoria as a mental illness. In the same comment thread, Jackson re-posted a photo that Burch says is 'disrespectful rhetoric.' In a statement, Burch says, 'A sitting council member continuing to make disparaging and derogatory statements in public forums about the most vulnerable people in our community, and engaging in divisive rhetoric, comes at a price.' Jackson responded by saying, 'I think all council members are entitled to our personal opinions as long as we share that in our personal capacity, and not from our council pages, or on behalf of the council, then we should be able to do that. I should be entitled to my freedom of speech just as anyone else is.' You can read the entire statement from Bruch and Jackson, below: A sitting Councilmember continuing to make disparaging and derogatory statements in public forums about the most vulnerable people in our community, and engaging in divisive rhetoric, comes at a price. Hatespeech, slurs, making fun of those with disabilities and mental illnesses should not be tolerated from a sitting council member who should be held to a higher standard. This Recall Petition will serve as a pathway to show our community that they have the power to hold our elected officials accountable for their words and actions. The Recall Petition is broad in language and not due to a singular incident, but a culmination of issues since Councilmember Jackson took office. More detailed information will be released after we address the full Council at an upcoming City Council meeting, at which time a press conference will be scheduled. — Ron Burch, Citizen Petition Organizer, Co-Chair & Founder of JOMO Pride, Inc. I think all council members are entitled to our personal opinions and as long as we share that in our personal capacity and not from our council pages or on behalf of the council then we should be able to do that. I should be entitled to my freedom of speech just as anyone else is. I've had criticism from other residents when they saw opinions or postings from council members they disagreed with and perhaps I didn't agree with as well but it's their right to have their opinion. This is a huge topic on many levels in our country and we should be able to talk about it. I simply don't indulge in calling men who are men women, or calling women who are women men. We should respect each other's respective private spaces. — Ryan Jackson, Joplin Councilmember (Zone 3) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Area groups host picnic and rally ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility
JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin's LGBTQ community gets a head start on Transgender Day of Visibility this afternoon. JOMO Pride and Joplin for Justice hosted a picnic and rally at Cunningham Park, with free hot dogs, trivia, and bingo. Political experts with Promo Missouri were there to educate attendees about anti-transgender legislation scheduled for hearings in the Missouri legislature this week. Some bills discussed include a ban on gender-affirming health care, barring trans athletes from playing sports, and restricting access to public restrooms. 'Southwest Missouri All for Love and Love for All' and 'Free Mom Hugs – Missouri' also came out today to celebrate and show their support for the trans community. Celebrating Trans Visibility Day 'This is close to my heart. I have a trans daughter, and when I found out about Free Mom Hugs, I found a new home,' said Victoria Morris, Free Mom Hugs Missouri. 'How are you going to be comfortable with them if you keep them at an arm's distance and don't actually engage with them and stuff like that? So that's a big thing about being visible. LGBTQ community being visible, the trans community being visible, to let people know we are here, we're in your community, we're human,' said Ron Burch, JOMO Pride co-chair. According to GLAAD, International Transgender Day of Visibility was established in 2010, and is celebrated every year on March 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
